15 Best Massage Therapy Schools in Michigan 2024 | How to Apply

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Have you thought about learning the healing art of massage? Do you want to be a part of a rapidly expanding career field? 

Do you have a strong desire to assist others? If you responded “yes” to any of these questions, a career in massage therapy could be right for you!!!

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This article fully explains the best massage therapy schools in Michigan, including the requirements, cost & how to apply to these schools.

People attend massage therapy colleges in Michigan to become certified medical professionals so that they can work as massage therapists in Michigan.

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During a massage treatment, a skilled and registered professional manipulates your body’s soft tissues, such as muscles, connective tissue, ligaments, tendons, and skin. They employ various levels of pressure and movement.

Furthermore, massage therapists are essential in assisting people in caring for their bodies and general health.

Massage is considered part of integrated medicine since medical centers increasingly offer it as a therapy option alongside traditional treatment for various medical disorders.

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You’ve come to the right place, so sit back and read attentively to find the best massage therapy schools in Michigan.

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Are there Massage Therapy Schools in Michigan?

There are many massage therapy schools in Michigan. Some of them include the following:

  • Lansing Community College
  • Baker College
  • Siena Heights University
  • St Clair County Community College
  • Douglas J Aveda Institute
  • Irene’s Myomassology Institute
  • Carnegie Institute
  • Bayshire Academy of Beauty Craft Inc
  • Dorsey Business Schools-Saginaw
  • Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage
  • Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts and Sciences
  • Flint School of Therapeutic Massage
  • Ann Arbor School of Massage, Herbal & Natural Medicine
  • Healing Hands Holistic Health Center

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How Does One Become A Massage Therapist in Michigan?

To become a massage therapist in Michigan, you must complete high school or obtain a G.E.D. Science and health classes may assist you in gaining admission to an M.T.M.T. school.

A postsecondary institution must deliver a certificate or degree program with 625 hours of instruction and training to receive state board approval. This must include the following:

  • 200 hours of theory and application of massage and bodywork evaluation
  • 125 hours of body system instruction (including anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology)
  • 40 hours of pathologic training
  • 40 hours in a student clinic performing massage therapy services under the supervision of a certified practitioner
  • 10 hours of education in business, professional practice, and ethics (with at least six hours in ethics)

The rest of the school’s curriculum is frequently different. Some programs train students in various massage modalities, while others go above and beyond the requisite clinical hours. 

Students must determine which university best meets their interests and career objectives.

Graduates must contact the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards to sign up for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination to qualify for state licensing. 

The MBLEx exam is administered at Pearson VUE assessment centers. The computer-based exam, offered in English and Spanish, costs around $200.

Michigan practitioners must renew their licenses every three years. They must complete 18 hours of continuing education from board-approved sources.

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What are the Best Massage Therapy Schools in Michigan?

We chose the schools below based on their curriculum, accreditation, student population, graduation rate, and reputation.

1. Lansing Community College

This public school offers a certificate program approved by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.

The 736-hour curriculum is offered during the day and in the evenings for four semesters. 

There is a part-time option. Classes offer polarity treatment, clinical massage, sports massage, specialist techniques, medical features of massage, research literacy, and state-mandated education. Some courses are available online.

At an on-campus clinic, students provide one-hour full-body massages to members of the public. 

At community events, they also provide chair and sports massages. The school’s career services section assists students in their job searches.

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2. Baker College

This non-profit school, founded in 1911, is Michigan’s largest independent postsecondary institution. It offers over 100 programs at eight locations throughout the state.

The certificate and associate in applied science programs at Baker’s campuses in Allen Park, Cadillac, Clinton Township, Jackson, and Muskegon are accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.

The certificate curriculum meets state standards. A.A.S. students must complete 1,130 hours of study and a clinical internship during the final semester.

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3. Siena Heights University

SHU is a Catholic university in Adrian that provides a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree. 

The program is intended for individuals who have received certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

This is an “inverted major,” with tailored class schedules that build on the preceding degree of the practitioner. 

Students may transfer up to 90 semester hours from other universities to complete the B.A.S. in less than two years. They get extra credit for having two years of related work experience.

Many of the classes are available online. They cover healthcare administration, professional communication, social science, and others.

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4. St Clair County Community College

SC4 is a public school in downtown Port Huron that offers certificates and degrees in various professions. An associate in applied science degree in massage therapy is one of the options available.

Microcomputer applications, English composition, political science, sociology, business math, and psychology are among the 65-credit-hour courses. 

A student may transfer 32 credits from the Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage’s certificate program to the A.A.S. program.

Classes are small, with barely two to four students graduating in previous years.

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5. Douglas J Aveda Institute

This institution, owned by a cosmetics corporation, provides four certificate programs in six locations. Massage therapy students can be located on East Lansing and Ann Arbor campuses.

The Ayurvedic massage technique is used in the 625-hour program. Aromatherapy, spa treatments, and body movement skills are taught in addition to the required curriculum. Students can attend classes throughout the day or at night.

Aveda owns and operates salons and spas and takes pride in its business training. Students are taught how to establish their practices. 

They also receive job placement assistance and have the opportunity to connect with potential employers at career fairs.

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6. Irene’s Myomassology Institute

Massage therapy is the only program offered at this Southfield private institution that offers community education seminars. 

Certificates can be obtained in less than a year. Myomassology is a comprehensive approach to body-mind-and-spirit balance.

Students take Client Evaluation, Communications, C.P.R., Muscle Mechanics, Swedish Massage, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology, Cranial Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Face Massage, and Professional Development in addition to the state-required courses.

Therapeutic Bodywork, Eastern Practices, Personal Development, Complementary Healing, and Energy Work are available as electives. Students gain hands-on experience at clinics and community outreach programs.

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7. Carnegie Institute

The CI School of Allied Health Technology is a for-profit organization in Troy founded in 1947. It provides 11 different medical career training programs.

The 57-credit-hour massage therapy certificate curriculum is completed in 12 months of full-time study. 

The program’s website states that “the program emphasizes the proper application of body mechanics by both customer and practitioner, the proper use of massage therapy equipment, and the development of a safe therapeutic massage environment.” According to the program’s website. 

Classes begin in September, January, March, and June each year.

Student membership in the American Massage Therapy Association and the Associated Bodywork & Massage Therapy Association is paid for by the institution.

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8. Bayshire Academy of Beauty Craft Inc

This private school dates back to the 1940s. There are four campuses, one in Bay City, and it offers a massage therapy certificate program.

The program consists of 700 clock hours. Body mechanics, Swedish massage, Shiatsu, prenatal massage, seated or chair massage, polarity therapy, muscle isolation, reflexology, sports massage, baby massage, acupressure, trigger point massage, and myofascial release are all covered in a 405-hour course. 

Also, hot stone and prenatal massage, as well as lymphatic drainage, are taught to students.

For full-time students, the curriculum lasts seven months. Some students take lessons on a part-time basis. Traditional and hot stone massages are given by participants at the school’s salon and spa.

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9. Dorsey Business Schools-Saginaw

D.B.S. has been awarding massage therapy certificates on its main site in Madison Heights for over 80 years.

The 900-hour curriculum includes instruction in Swedish, deep tissue, chair, and sports massage. 

The classes also teach Eastern modalities, spa applications, and neuromuscular treatment. The program lasts approximately nine months. There are class schedules available during the day, afternoon, and evening.

In the evenings and on Saturdays, a student clinic treats real people. Career services include aid with resume writing, interviewing tactics, job-search advice, and employment prospects.

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10. Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage

This downtown Port Huron school offers a 10-month diploma program certified by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.

The 750-hour curriculum promotes “personal growth, holistic approach, and self-care.” Some courses are available to students online. 

They participate in workshops of their choice at least six times a year and provide massages in an on-campus clinic three or four times a month.

Tuition covers the purchase of a massage table, a startup kit, and the licensure exam price. 

In addition, the institution pays for student membership in a professional association that offers liability insurance.

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11. Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts and Sciences

Blue Heron Academy is committed to enhancing and favorably promoting the image of natural and alternative healthcare and allowing determined students to improve their profession and lives dramatically.

Why choose this school?

  • The classes are intended for people who are working. They provide day and evening classes.
  • Since 1980, they have trained thousands of successful graduates.
  • Professional staff and educators dedicated to you and your future.
  • Blue Heron Academy’s limited class numbers ensure you will not get lost in the crowd.
  • A sequence of lectures and “hands-on” lab exercises will be used to teach you.
  • Financial Assistance: The financial manager can offer various simple, low-cost payment solutions.
  • Education with breadth and depth at an accessible price. Incredible value for money.
  • Job counselors are dedicated to assisting you in ensuring that your education leads to a new and meaningful career.
  • Blue Heron Academy is a Post Secondary Education school licensed by the state of Michigan.
  • They can boost your career and your life if you work together.

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12. Flint School of Therapeutic Massage

The Flint School of Therapeutic Massage believes lessons should be small and intimate to provide everyone with an equal learning experience. There are 10–15 students for every two professors in the student-teacher ratio.

From 16-year-old students to retirees in their 60s, the Flint School of Therapeutic Massage serves many citizens.

You can rely on the Flint School of Therapeutic Massage professors to advance your knowledge.

After completing the seven-month curriculum, you will be familiar with a variety of massage techniques, including:

  • Reflexology
  • Sports Massage
  • Myofascial release
  • Shiatsu
  • Deep tissue
  • Swedish
  • Trigger point therapy

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13. Institute for Massage Education

Since 1993, the Institute for Massage Education has been a state-licensed school offering the highest quality training for professional massage therapists. 

One of the most critical aspects of this training is the emphasis on self-care and the realization that we can only go as far as we are willing to go with ourselves.

The Institute for Massage Education is committed to improving the global quality of life via touch. 

They accomplish this by teaching professional massage therapists, providing a therapeutic environment for workshops and community events, and providing educational opportunities for healing arts practitioners and the larger community.

All of the lecturers are skilled practitioners in their respective healthcare fields who are currently in practice. 

That is, you will study books on philosophy and science and hear from men and women who live what they teach.

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14. Ann Arbor School of Massage, Herbal & Natural Medicine

The Ann Arbor School of Massage, Herbal & Natural Medicine offers a variety of educational programs.

A wellness collective for student professional development, an herb lab, and a resource room are available in addition to our diploma program. 

Some instructors provide continuing education programs that include certification and documentation of C.E.C.E. hours.

They believe that education thrives in a supportive, inspiring environment with structure and the ability to investigate academically seriously. 

The happiness and amusement they have had in their classes over the last ten years contribute to a healthy learning experience and a channel for personal and professional healing.

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15. Healing Hands Holistic Health Center

Healing Hands Holistic Health Center School of Massage, located in Clinton Township, offers comprehensive education services focusing on high-quality education for massage therapists. 

The educational approach focuses on providing comprehensive and practical education, transmitting the most up-to-date techniques and methodologies, and assisting students in achieving job success.

They understand that the student’s success is critical to the reputation of Healing Hands Holistic Health Center School of Massage. So, begin on the road to enlightenment and success by enrolling in the school.

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How Long are Massage Therapy Schools in Michigan?

In Michigan, a massage therapist requires at least 500 hours of training.

Massage therapist candidates must complete programs that involve state-approved curricula.

According to Board Administrative Rule, programs must be at least 500 hours long. They must contain the following courses:

  • 200 hours of instruction in massage/bodywork theory, practice, and assessment
  • 125 hours of instruction on body systems, including kinesiology, anatomy, and physiology
  • 4 hours of business and practice management instruction
  • 6 hours of ethics education
  • 40 hours of pathology coursework
  • The remaining hours must be connected to massage therapy practice. The student must complete at least 40 hours of massage therapy at a student clinic.

How Much are Massage Therapy Schools in Michigan?

Massage therapy school tuition is sometimes less expensive than a four-year college degree, but expenses vary greatly by program.

Most schools require 500 to 1,000 hours of massage therapy training to graduate, and expenses are higher for programs that provide more training hours and a more comprehensive curriculum.

As you consider your educational alternatives, arm yourself with good guidance on the best ways to finance your education.

Tuition prices for massage therapy schools vary greatly. Some community college programs are as little as $5,000-$7,000. Others charge as much as $20,000 for a one-year curriculum.

How Much Do Massage Therapists Make in Michigan?

The majority of massage therapists here earn around $40,260 per year or $19.35 per hour. The national median is roughly $41,420, or nearly $20.

Michigan’s top 10% earn roughly $63,570 or $30.55 per hour, less than the national average of approximately $78,300 or $37.65 per hour. 

The state’s lowest-paid 10% earn roughly $19,830, or more than $9.50 per hour—less than the national average of $21,340, or $10.25 per hour.

In 2016, there were 3,600 massage therapist jobs in Michigan. According to federal government predictions, steady growth in the field will result in 4,630 jobs by 2026. 

This 29 percent increase would surpass the expected 26 percent increase in the United States.

Conclusion

In Michigan, there are numerous massage therapy schools. Privately owned institutes to public colleges are among them. Some only teach massage, while others provide studies in various professions.

Most colleges have M.T.M.T. certificate (sometimes known as a diploma) programs that can be completed in a year or less. 

Some colleges offer associate degrees, while one university offers bachelor’s degrees. Students attend classroom lectures, receive hands-on lab instruction, and obtain clinical experience.

If you want to work with your hands in Michigan, why not attempt this excellent job?

F.A.Q.s

What is the highest degree in Massage Therapy in Michigan?

The highest voluntary credential offered to massage therapists is board certification.

What are the cons of being a massage therapist in Michigan?

One disadvantage of working as a massage therapist is that the job might be physically demanding. 

Is massage therapist a good career choice in Michigan?

Overall, massage therapists are pleased with their jobs. Massage therapy was ranked one of the best career paths in the 2021 U.S.U.S. News 100 Best Jobs survey. Pursuing a degree might also provide you with high job satisfaction.

Reference

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